Wales and Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland says he does not yet know where he will play his rugby next season.

Rhys Priestland is thought to be among a handful of current Wales internationals offered central contracts by the Welsh Rugby Union.

Wales captain Sam Warburton has signed a three-year WRU deal that will take effect after his current Cardiff Blues contract expires later this year.

Lock Alun-Wyn Jones, though, recently agreed fresh terms with his regional team the Ospreys, turning down a central contract, while Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny opted to sign for reigning European champions Toulon, putting pen to paper on a deal reportedly worth more than £1million.

Rhys Priestland will return to the Test-match shop window on Saturday when Wales launch their Six Nations campaign against Millennium Stadium visitors Italy.

After playing second fiddle to Ospreys playmaker Dan Biggar for the autumn international series, Priestland reclaims the Wales number 10 shirt as the reigning Six Nations champions set off in pursuit of an unprecedented title hat-trick.

Priestland is an important part of Wales coach Warren Gatland’s plans, yet off-field matters and the ongoing political unrest between WRU and Wales’ four professional regions provide an unavoidable back-drop to this season’s Six Nations campaign.

“I would just like to see how things pan out,” Priestland said.

“I find it difficult because I don’t know all the facts, all the details, so it’s hard to make a fully-informed decision.

“I have got the Six Nations to concentrate on, so I can take my mind off the situation. Hopefully, things can get sorted out and I can make an informed decision then.

“It does worry you what’s going to happen to me with my future. I am sure it’s not just me feeling that, but every other player.

“The sooner I can sort it out the better. I have spoken to Leigh, Alun and Sam, and they all feel a weight off their shoulders (after deciding their futures).

“For me, for the next couple of years, I think it would be better if I stayed in Wales, but nothing is set in stone yet.”

Rhys Priestland has not let the uncertainty regarding his future affect his form, enjoying a strong Heineken Cup campaign at the Scarlets and now entrusted with unleashing a star-studded Wales back division.

It all starts this weekend, with Wales aiming to make an immediate statement of intent against opponents they have beaten six times in succession, scoring an average of 30 points.

“All I am trying to do is enjoy my rugby," Priestland added. "I’ve managed to do that for most parts of the season.

“I am delighted to be playing on this occasion, and I hope to show the coaches made the right decision.

“It’s good to have a bit of faith from the coaches, and I am just grateful to have the opportunity this time. They have told me just to play my own game.

“This is the best season I have had, so, hopefully, that form will transfer from my regional team to international level. There is a fantastic team around me, so I don’t see why I can’t be the best, this Six Nations, I have ever been.

“This year I have not let anything (criticism) like that worry me.

“Everyone seems to be a rugby expert in Wales when the Six Nations comes along, but the ones who matter are the coaches and people who I train alongside and work with every day.

“It’s what happens on the field that matters.”

Flanker Dan Lydiate left the Wales camp to return to France this week, to be with his fiancee for the birth of their child.

The Racing Metro loose-forward is still expected to return to the Wales set-up in time to start in the back-row for Saturday’s tournament opener.